Theater novelty



J. A. 'PARTINGTON THEATER NOVELTY Feb. 1, 1927. 1,616,198

Filed Aug. 2'7, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 1, 1927. 1,6I6,198

J. A. PARTINGTON THEATER NOVELTY Filed Apg. 27, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 EN TOR. [ac/ 6% y 96 w I M/m /m B Feb. 1; 1927. 1,616,198

J. A. PARTiNGTON THEATER NOVELTY Filed Aug. 27, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. %fl /V/6k BY Z,

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10 the audience, etc. In my Patented. Feb. 1, 19

JACK A. IPARTINGTON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

THEATER NOVELTY.

Application filed August 27, 1925.

This invention relates to theatrical novelties and particularly to a novel stage and mechanism cooperating therewith. Many theatrical acts require additional stage room, quick changes of additional stage settings, the provision of more than one ,scene simultaneously, the quick arrangement of such settings in a manner wherein the same will be most clearly observed by Patent No. 1,563,782, dated December 1, 1925, I have disclosed one form of mechanism for serving these functions. The primary object of my present invention is to provide another and improved novel construction wherein these and other advantageous features are most efficiently obtained.

More specifically, my invention comprises a stage having an auxiliary portion or portions thereof movable from a position below toa position flush with the stage in a manner providing an enlarging 'of the stage when desired. The construction preferably comprises a pit at the front of the stage having an auxiliary stage therein and provided with means for moving the same to a position flush with the main stage, there also being a passage beneath the stage pro viding a communication from a rear aux- I iliary movable stage whereby a movable platform .onthe main stage can be moved from one auxiliary stage to the other beneath the main-stage. It is an object of my invention to provide a mechanism of this .type.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a novelrailing and curtain carrying mechanism in connection with the pit and the movable auxiliary stage therein. These and other novel features of the invention will become apparent as this description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated certain specific embodiments of my invention, but it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawings are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims appended to this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Referring to the figures of the drawg r I Fig. 1 isa fragmentary vertical sectional view through the stage portion of a theater s g the ee i ir is of y in en i n- Serial No. 52,804.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view thereof showing the parts in other positions.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view thereof.

Fig. 1 is a plan view.

Referring more specifically to the drawings by reference characters, 1 indicates the base or foundation of a theater and 2 the main stage thereabove, the stage being supported on I-beams 3. The rear of the stage is provided with a section or portion a supported on hydraulic rams 5. are adapted to move the portion 1 upwardly to a position flush with the stage 2 or to move the same downwardly to a position flush with the floor of the foundation 1.

A pit 6 is provided forwardly of the stage and an auxiliary stage 7 is supported on hydraulic rams 8 in this pit. These rams are adapted to move the auxiliary stage 7 upwardly to a position flush with the stage 2 or to move the same downwardly to a position flush with the floor of the foundation 1. As illustrated, a passage 9 is provided beneath the stage between the pit and the section 4. A steel fire curtain or door 10 is preferably provided between this passage and the pit, the curtain being adapted to be rolled upwardly on a roller 11 when desired.

One or more movable platforms are adapted to be used in connection with my novel stage. Preferably, I use a main platform 12 and a smaller platform 13. These platforms are mounted 011 wheels riding on tracks 14:. The tracks extend across the main stage 2 and the floor of the passage 9 and cooperating tracks are provided on the stage sections 4 and 7. The platforms 12 and 13 are preferably power operated by electric motors as described in my said copending application, and the hydraulic rams are operated in the usual and well known manner.

A pair of long hydraulic rams 15 are pro vided within the foundationl beneath the stage 2. As illustrated in Fig. 1, these rams These rams are adapted to elevate the platform 12 to a position above the main stage. In the lowermost position as illustrated in Fig. 2, these rams are beneath the surface of the floor in the passage 9 whereby the same do not obstruct the movement of the platforms 12 and 13 therethrough. It will also be noted that the platform 13 is sufiiciently narrow to pass between the rams 15 so that when the platform 12 is elevated as shown ill in Fig. 1, the platform 13 can pass thereunder.

A railing and curtain supporting frame 16 is provided forwardly of the pit 6. This frame is carried for vertical movement on a pair of vertical tracks 17 adjacent the front of the stage respectively at the opposite sides of the pit. As illustrated, each of these tracks is an. I-beanr and the frame carrying rollers 18 engage within the beams. Counter-weights 19 hung on cords 20 extending over pulleys 21 counterbalance the weight of the frame; A curtain 22 is hung from the frame, the curtain being received within a pit 2-3 when the frame is in its down posi tion. Power means (not illustrated) is adapted to raise and lower the frame and curtain on the tracks 7. a

The curtain preferably comprises tvvohalf portions overlapping each other at the center when the curtain is closed. These curtains are mounted on rollers 24: riding on a horizontal track 25 extending around the in.- side of. the railing or frame 16; Cords are attached to the curtains and operate in a well known: manner for movingthetwo curtain halves simultaneously in opposite directions to open: or close the curtains when desired, the rollers 24- carrying the curtains along: on the track 25.

A novel form of foot-light device 26 is provided at the forward edge of the stage 2 adjacent the auxiliary stage 7 This device is pivoted at 27 and movable t-hereabout to two positions. hen the auxiliary stage 7 is not being used flush with the stage 2, the device is pivoted to the position illustrated in Fig. 2, wherein the sameacts as a footlight reflector. Whenusing the auxiliary stage 7 flush with the stage 2, the device is pivoted to the position illustrated in Fig. 4t, wherein. the flat surface 28 bridges the gap between the auxiliary and main stages.

A main orchestra pit an. be provided at 29-forwardly'of the pit 6 if desired, a railing 30 being provided between such pit and the seating portion; of the theater. It may also bedesired at times to use an extra platform on the tracks 141. For this purpose I provide a chamber 31 beneath the pit 29 for storing an extra platform 32. This plat form can be rolled out onto the auxiliary stage;- 7 whenever. its use is desired.

It is. believed" that? the construction and operation ofmy improvements willb'e clear without further description herein. The novel construction providesmeans for malt.- ing variouscombinations and arrangements adapted tothe acts or effects it is desiredto produce. A scene. can be preparedoneither auxiliary stage. 4 or 7, oron theplatforms 12 and 13 beneath the main stage, and then elevatedito:the main stage. either. at the front or." rear. thereof. If: elevated. at: the. front. of the stage, the platform can thereafter be moved over the stage to the section 4 and lowered to the passage 9 while another act is being brought upward on the auxiliary platform 7. It will also be noted that the frame 16 provides an orchestra railing about the orchestra or other act on the stage 7 when desired, and that the elevating of such rail hides the entire stage behind the curtain 22. A curtain 33 is also provided on the platform 12 for use when the same is elevated as shown in Fig. 1. Further description of the possibilities of my invention is believed to be unnecessary since it is obvious that many and various novel settings are possible.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A theater novelty comprising the com.- bination of astage, front and rear portions thereof being movable to positions flush with the stage and below the level thereof, the stage intermediate the said portions being stationary, means for elevating and lowering such portions to such positions, and means providing a communicating passage below the stage between such portions.

2. A theater novelty comprising the combination ofa stage, front and rear portions thereof being movableto positions flush with the stage and below the level thereof, the stage intermediate the saidportions being stationary, means for elevating and lowering such portions to such positions, a platform movable over the stage and adapted to be carried on the said movable portions, and means providing a communicating passage below the stage between such portions whereby the platform can be moved from one portion to the other beneath the stage.

3. A theater novelty comprising the combination. of a stage, front and rear portions thereof being movable to positions flush with the stage and below the level thereof, the stage intermediate the said portions being stationary, means for elevating and lowering such portions to such positions, a track extending over the stage including the front and rear portions, a platform-riding on the track, means providing a communicating passage below the stage between the said portions, a track between such portions beneath the stage, and power means for moving the platform.

1. A theater. novelty comprising the combination of a stage, front and rear portions thereof being movable to positions flush with the stage and below the level thereof, means for elevating and lowering such portions to such positions, a platform movable over the stage and-adapted to be carried on the said movable portions, means providing a communicating passage below the stage between such portions whereby the platform can be movedfrom one portion tothe other beneath the stage, and means for elevating the platform above the stage intermediate the said combination of a stage, front and rear portions thereof being movable to positions flush with the stage and below the level thereof, hydraulic rams for elevating and lowering such portions to such positions, a platform movable over the-stage and adapted to be carried on the said movable portions, means providing a communicating passage below the stage between such portions whereby the platform can be moved from one portion to the other beneath the stage, and hydraulic rams adapted to extend up through the stage and elevate the platform above the stage intermediate the said portions. 1

6. A theatrical novelty comprising the combination of a stage, means providing a pit at the'front of the stage, an auxiliary stagein the pit, means for elevating the auxiliary stage to a position flush with the stage, and pivotally mounted means at the front of the main stage adapted in one pivoted position to provide a foot-light reflector and in another pivoted position to provide a bridge for gapping the space between the stage and the auxiliary stage.

7. A theatrical novelty comprising the combination of a stage, means providing a pit at the front of the stage, an auxiliary stage in the pit, means for elevating the auxiliary stage "to a position flush with the stage, curtain supporting means forwardly of the pit, a curtain hung therefrom, and a pair of vertical tracks carrying the curtain supporting means in a manner permitting the curtain to be elevated and lowered to positions above and below the stage level to cooperate with the auxiliary stage in its different positions.

8. A theatrical novelty comprising the combination of a stage, means providing a pit at the front of the stage, an auxiliary stage in the pit, means for elevating the auxiliary stage to a position flush with the stage, a pair of vertical tracks adjacent the forward portion of the stage, a railing extending about the front portion of the pit and movably carried on the tracks, a hori- Zontal track on the railing, a flexible cur-. tain, means carrying the flexible curtain on the horizontal tracks, and means for elevating and lowering the tracks and curtain to positions above and below the stage level to cooperate with the auxiliary stage in its different positions.

JACK A. PARTINGTON. 

